SW Sailing Championships a Tribute to “Much-Loved” Commodore

Published On: 9 May 2025Last Updated: 9 May 2025By CornishStuff

📷 The Kari-Tek-sponsored RS Aero UK SW Area Championships 2025 fleet racing off Restronguet Sailing Club, Falmouth Harbour. Photo Miles Carden/Falmouth Harbour

Poignant scenes at Restronguet as sailors remember John Calvert during RS Aero event

The 2025 South West RS Aero Championships, held over the Bank Holiday weekend at Restronguet Sailing Club in Falmouth Harbour, became a moving tribute to the Club’s late Commodore, John Calvert.

John, a founding member of Restronguet’s 15-strong RS Aero fleet and the first sailor to sign up for this year’s Kari-Tek-sponsored championships, passed away shortly before the event, surrounded by his family. His death has deeply saddened the club and wider community.

📷John Calvert Tribute line-up – photo courtesy of Restronguet Sailing Club

Emotional Start to the Weekend

The championships opened with a beachside tribute at the clubhouse, where competitors gathered in a line-up led by Acting Commodore Robin Laney to honour John’s memory.

Patrick Clarke, Aero Class Captain at RSC and organiser of the event, said:

“As we thank all the volunteers, sponsors and competitors that have made this wonderful event possible, our thoughts are with John Calvert and his family.

“As a founding member of Restronguet Sailing Club’s RS Aero fleet it was typical of his kind of leadership that he calmly exuded a cheerfulness and easy manner that was always at the heart of his way of doing things, especially when it came to his enjoyment of sailing.

“There is no doubt that his demeanour was part of the chemistry that has seen the growth of this fleet to a thriving and enthusiastic group of over 15 Aero sailors of all ages. We shall miss John sailing his boat numbered 2517 dearly.”

📷John Calvert, late Commodore of Restronguet Sailing Club and founder of the club’s RS Aero fleet. Photo courtesy of RSC

Racing Highlights Across Three Days

Over the three-day competition, 14 RS Aero boats competed in two races per day, using a mix of rig sizes: ten 7 rigs, four 5 rigs, and one 6 rig. Gary Cartlidge made a tactical switch of rigs on Sunday, taking advantage of the rule allowing one change and winning race 3.

Day 1: A northerly wind arrived just before the start, with courses set by Dr Phil Slater providing excellent racing conditions.
Day 2: A force 3–4 easterly wind brought some gusts up to force 5, making for a tricky top mark rounding as the windward mark sat in a sheltered area.
Day 3: Lighter and shifting winds from the north-east to north tested the skills of Race Officer Nigel Sharp and his race team.

Standout Performances and Rising Stars

Dave Buzzard emerged as overall winner and 1st 7 rig, with a consistent performance, only counting top-three finishes. In second place was 17-year-old Noah Carden, competing in his first championship. Noah also took 1st Aero 5 and 1st Junior, winning two races in the process.

Mike Upton, visiting from Exe SC, placed third in his 7 rig. Other notable performances included George Lenney in 4th (2nd Junior and 2nd Aero 5), and Simon Loveridge in 5th overall, earning 1st Master.

📷RSC's Patrick Clarke with Overall Winner Dave Buzzard presented with trophy by Kari-Tek's Gaynor Turner - Photo Miles Carden

New Trophy and Valuable Prizes

A new perpetual trophy was awarded to the overall winner. Main and category prizes were generously provided by Kari-Tek, including a car-top boat carrier worth more than £1,000 and hundreds of pounds in vouchers for roof-top racks.

Kari-Tek, based in Scotland, designs and manufactures systems for transporting sailing dinghies, kayaks and paddleboards. Prizes were presented on Monday afternoon by the company’s Gaynor Turner, followed by a Cornish Tea for all participants.

Miles Carden, CEO of Falmouth Harbour, said:

“These Championships for such exciting boats have created a wonderful tribute to RSC Commodore John Calvert who so sadly passed away during the run up to the event. This was a great competition showcasing our beloved Falmouth Harbour yet again as one of the best places on the planet to sail.

“We were very pleased to support the event – the RS Aero is an incredible boat allowing everyone of all ages to compete in the same class on an equal footing and I believe John would have been hugely pleased with the outcome.”